...where distraction is the main attraction.

Wednesday, February 6, 2019

Glenfiddich 12 year old, bottled late 2017

Once upon a time, I understood Glenfiddich's bottle codes. But when the company updated their bottle design, in 2017, they changed the coding. So I can tell you that this whisky was either bottled on November 24th (L328) or December 12th (1212). Whichever day it may be, I don't think the year was 2018 because this 375mL was already collecting dust on the shelf in Ohio in January 2019.

Those are some sturdy maths right there.

Because you've watched this month's Killing Whisky History episode you know I already provided on-camera tasting notes and a brief opinion for this bottle. Now I'm going to give you a second review for free! The whisky has had a couple of weeks and 1¼ smidgeons of oxygen. And now I'm going to give the whisky another go from within my hermetically sealed whisky chamber wherein I can take my time and blast Blondie's Greatest Hits.

I'm using the rest of this bottle's contents as the control whisky in all the Glenfiddich tastings this month. Because the entry-level Glenfiddich was never designed for a complex experience, the tasting notes will likely remain brief throughout this month. I'll compensate by writing extensive introductions.


Distillery: Glenfiddich
Owner: William Grant & Sons
Region: Speyside (Dufftown)
Age: minimum 12 years
Maturation: bourbon casks and sherry casks, likely more of the former
Bottle Code: L328 5057 1212 1233
Alcohol by Volume: 40%
Chillfiltered? Yep
Caramel Colorant? Yip Yip Yip Yip Yip Yip

NOTES!
Hmm, the nose has opened up a little bit. While there's still plenty of barley, the eau de vie note has retreated to the midground. Now there are more flowers, orange peels and golden raisins. It smells very sugary. It gets grainier with time and gains(?) a cardboard note. The palate is simply sugar, vanilla, roasted barley and raw almonds. Equal parts tangy, drying and bitter. Seems like grain whisky meets eau die vie, with no mouthfeel. It finishes tangy and sweet, with hints of almonds and wood smoke.

CONCLUSIONS!
The nose has certainly improved over the past two weeks. The palate has not. It's singing out for the nose's fruits and/or flowers. I've found the best way to address this is via a highball with Rogan's orange bitters and a generous cut of lemon peel.

I've always preferred Glenfiddich 12 over Glenlivet 12 but the distance between the two has narrowed considerably. This current version of Glenfiddich 12 has gotten mighty close to Blend Territory. That's somewhat understandable, as it is the starter 'Fiddich. But a 750mL bottle goes for $45 here in Ohio, which is more than Lot No. 40 and Evan Williams BIB, combined. This may be the last bottle of GF12 I buy. ☹

The only hope is the past. Maybe earlier versions will be better...

Availability - Everywhere
Pricing - $25-$60, yes, things are silly
Rating - 76

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